Trust in the Lord: Gospel Today Devotional - 23rd August, 2022

The issue of trust is indeed a very serious one. Many find it difficult to trust people. This is because over time, many have failed to prove themselves as being trustworthy, that is, they have not shown to people either by their actions, inactions that they can be trusted. One thing about trust is that it is not to be forced. It is to be earned. For people to trust you, you have to earn it, you have to work for it. Work in the sense that you must have proven yourself to be trustworthy and this comes with time.  For someone to open up to you freely without holding anything back, such a person has to know that whatever he says to you will remain with you. That is you being trustworthy. Hallelujah.

Consider two lovers who just met one another for example, at the inception of their relationship, either of the parties may not really come out plain not because they just want to hide some things but are waiting to see if the other person can be trustworthy enough to handle their stories, their struggles, their past experiences and all. If you're in this situation, do not be mad at your partner. All you need do is prove to him or her that you can be trusted, and do not force it,  why? Because trust must be earned not forced. Make them feel comfortable, make the know they can trust you. This is the only way to make them open up. They do not intend to keep such things to themselves. They would like to share but are only waiting to know if you're are trustworthy. Are you trustworthy? Can you be trusted?

When a person feels you can be trusted, they will hide nothing from you. They will come as open as possible. They will reveal to you everything you need to know about them even the ones you did not ask for. Why? because they have come to see that you can be trusted, and that you cannot use what they share with you against them. They trust you with everything they have, and as a result, they acknowledge (by telling) you in everything they do. This is that which the lesson today seeks to teach us. Let's look at the text below:

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5,6)

It is true man has issues with trust. Men do not trust men because men are not trustworthy. This is however different with God and the man who has been begotten of God. hallelujah. God has overtime proven through the testimonies of scripture that he can be trusted. He never failed those he promised, he kept to his word; those who came to him for help, he never sent away or made mockery of them. He never went about telling people that Hannah was barren and was praying like one drunk. He showed to all that he was indeed trustworthy, and he still is. God can be trusted. In this case, we do not need to wait to assess (test) God before we think we can open up to him, tell him our struggles, share with him our pains, worries, battles, and on. No, not at all. God can be trusted. He is trust worthy.

This is the reason the scripture instructs today to trust in the Lord and this has been our focus for a while, right? Why is this instruction important?  Because God is trustworthy. It is a fact that is not debatable. But how did it say to trust in God? It says to trust in the Lord with all your heart. It means to say don't hide anything, he is not someone you should hide anything from. You're to tell him everything, I mean everything not holding anything back to that which you can't even say to any other person. Because God is one who can trusted. You have nothing to be afraid of. In his trust you'll find comfort, victory, encouragement. You're to come as open as possible.

There are about three instructions in the passage today. First is to trust the Lord with all your heart which we have seen already. The other is not to rely on your own understanding to do things while the last is to acknowledge him in all your ways. You're not just to trust him as a person, you are to trust his wisdom, trust his counsel, trust his instructions, you're to trust his words, his name with all your heart. And you see, there's no way you can acknowledge God in all your ways if you do not trust him with all your heart. Only those who trust the Lord with all their hearts not leaning on their understanding can acknowledge God in all their ways. It is only those who trust the Lord with all their hearts, acknowledge God in all their ways that the Lord direct their paths. The question is, do you trust the Lord? Knowing now that God can be trusted and that the scripture instructs you to trust him, lean not on your own understanding, and acknowledge him in all your ways, will you do as you have been instructed? Think on these things. The Lord grant us understanding of his word. Amen.

Thought for the day

There's no way you can acknowledge God in all your ways if you do not trust him with all your heart. Only those who trust the Lord with all their hearts not leaning on their understanding can acknowledge God in all their ways. You have been instructed to trust him.

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Gospel Today is a comforting, exhorting, and edifying devotional published by Delightsome Land Christian Ministry. For questions, enquiries or testimonies, call or WhatsApp: 08174915361, 08161655758.

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